April Autism Awareness Month

Post Reply New Topic

The United Nations General Assembly in New York has declared 2nd April 2008 as World Autism Awareness Day making the vision a reality - this is the first ever World Autism Day.

Fiona Sinclair, of the pressure group Autism Rights, said:
"We are going to face the situation where we have hundreds of thousands of people with autism completely screwed up by the system and reaching adulthood without having had an education which meets their needs."

Maybe together if we all spread the word, raise awareness we can make a real difference...
What are your thoughts and what you would like changed

For me:
I would like the misunderstanding about people on the autism spectrum to change.

We should be able to be ourselves, not feel we have to hid in the background, we should be able to approach life's issues differently if thats what works for us. I have spend a life time of not knowing myself, since being diagnosed and finding the real me I still feel like I have to put on a front for everyone else..

I understand and believe in myself now, but the more I become and act the way that I feel is right for me - society backs away. But things will never change if I keep pretending, if others feel they have to hid there true selves..

There are so many people still ashamed to say I have autism, family members feeling they have to keep there differences a secret - why! maybe its time we all spoke out, because the more we do the easier it will become for all of us.... I am an aspie on the autism spectrum and proud of my differences and who I am, others have spent a life time trying to make me change/conform, of course never felt right - I am still here and that different will always be a part of each and everyone one of us makes us the unique individuals we all have a right to be.

I am starting to get a bit more support and OMG I need it!! !! !
Our Awareness is June isn't it, I know that is when the appeal is on.
People need to be more open-minded when faced with ASD's. People need to learn more tolerance, patience, and understanding. They need to remember that people with Autism or Asperger's are still people, their brains are just slightly different.
I see Autism/Asperger's as an almost invisable disorders. It isn't always obvious that someone is affected.
They can be extremely intelligent and honest and genuien (sp?). They take notice of the little things which others don't and appreciate things more.
How many adults take a minute to watch a butterfly go about it's way? Or what about teens who see a bubble and show such delight that the rest of the world stops.
NT's need to find their inner child and take a minute to stop and watch that butterfly or chase and pop the bubble.

The majority of support in my life, comes from Wrong Planet! I have been fortunate in finding a counselor who is familiar with my AS, but I only see her once every two weeks. So I'm pretty much on my own.

You didn't leave a section on the poll to click, "Lots of Support."

I think the generation of Autistic kids coming up today will face a different world, a better world, a more tolerant world due to the suppor their getting. Many will go through school with intervention and support services. They also have a bigger community of support. They're a part of neighborhoods, cities, counties where there are special programs to help them gain confidance, like hippotherapy. Parents are more involved. Parents are more aware and knowledgeable. Biomed is really taking off and having a positive impact in the Autistic community. It's all good.

I see these changes everyday. I see kids being released from Special Ed programs after 2-3 years of intervention. I see kids shedding many of their Autistic symptoms and comorbids and being able to get off drugs, throw away the Ritatlin and Concerta. I see kids getting A's, playing Little League, doing things NT kids would do. I see kids being mainstreamed and getting along socially just like any other kid.

The more awareness that comes, the better outcomes we'll see for the future. I'm proud that this country is putting Awareness upfront and out there. As a father of an Autistic son, I am humbled (and that's saying a lot) by all the events and acivities going on around us as we speak to support Autism. All I have to say is, thank you, thank you, thank you to all the organizations and companies who are making all of this possible.

April is world autism day for everyone, after all it is a world wide issue...

Sorry thought I added and then tried to amend poll, but could not - can you amend polls!

Maybe it did not let me as was telling me some think, "lots of support" I guess if you can afford...
If do place as thread and will add to poll at end

Depends on what mean by support.
Am have enough support/services/benefits etc for Autism related stuff,the problem am have is with untrained staff,the service am in is not setup to deal with Autism high complex needs according to managers,so the staff can be anything from abusive and nasty,to
understanding even without much training.
Am have residential care [on at least 1-1,also 2-1,staff with am day and night],a key worker,a LD social worker,a OT [occupational therapist at the one stop resource centre] who gives am addaptive things like padding for bedroom,alarms for doors for staff etc for free etc,am have a LD CPN [learning disability community pyschiatric nurse],up until recently had an autism specialised speech therapist but he has moved boroughs and a autism/behavioral specialised pyschologist who has now retired [the only two autism specialists in the service and no one has replaced them yet],a behavioral specialised nurse though rarely see her-she works with the service and home managers to say what sort of restraining techniques they can use,how to deal with am best..that sort of stuff-she writes out guidelines that staff have to follow,though they often dont,supposed to have services from both National Autistic Society and Autism Initiatives as am funded for them but notthing new yet,neuro at hope Hospital [for the meltdown/shutdown side], Martin White [from an advocacy group for people in residential homes]-he's like a laywer/lawyer without the power,he speaks for am and gets things done...and also--support from GFB with big dribbly hugs,all the cats at home,mum when she's not drunk,dad and sister,sister especially as she speaks for am at meetings,dad is useless with that stuff,
the LD CPN probably best,she is really nice,she wants am to teach her makaton.
Though am do not have support off some of dads family,they never liked am,said am made the families life hell,for what its worth am think they're all horrible,apart from the youngest daughter and son.


Am currently working on something to help towards AAM.

I get money from the government each week to buy food/pay bills, so I'm supported, and I get by as long as I'm left alone and I have my routine, and I have someone to talk for me on the phone and to professionals (to make my food, drive me places, and other misc. stuff also).

They should have called it ASD day to include everyone, considering autism is a specific label.